Minnesota Walleye Opener? Bob

[gowrlop]

Bob
I'm looking for some advice on where to go for the Minnesota Walleye Opener this year. I really don't want to go to any of the bigger lakes and was thinking about either the Ottertail or Willmar area but am open to anywhere. Looking for a resort on a lake so I can spend the weekend there. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Roger

[Bob Jensen]

Hi Roger,,,great question. The weather this year, like many openers, can make your lake and area choice interesting.

I used to go to every MN Opener,,,wonderful tradition. When I went, I chose an area, not a lake. We would fish several lakes every day, going from small bodies of water to larger bodies of water. We also took into consideration clear water lakes vs. stained water lakes. Some years clear water produced better than stained water, other years stained water was better.

The Ottertail area can be very good, Brainerd area has lots of lakes so lake-jumping can be quick. I really like the Kabetogama area, Leech area is also good,,,lots of lakes with different qualities there.

Last of all,,,Opener is a wildcard,,you never know what kind of weather you'll encounter that weekend, also, previous weather conditions will determine the bite to a certain extent. I don't get locked into just walleyes on the Opener. Consider chasing crappies or perch also,,,a fish fry on Saturday night is another great tradition.

If I was going to fish the Opener,,I think I would headquarter on Leech or Winnie and be willing to travel according to weather conditions,,,Winnie is another lake that can be a fantastic opening day lake. I know you said smaller lakes,,,but Winnie can fish small on the Opener,,,the west shoreline in 6-10 feet of water can be really good.

Let us know how you do.

Best Fishes,

Bob Jensen

[gowrlop]

Thanks Bob, I really appreciate your thoughts. I love all the areas you mentioned and thats what makes it so hard to decide. I'll be lake hopping the first week of June in the Nisswa / Longville area so I don't think I'll go there. Trending to ottertail and Big pine. Once again, Thanks for your imput, be safe and have a great season.

Roger

Roger - i open in the Ottertail área every year and look for OT itself to be dynamite this year. Fire-balls and Roach Rigs rule in the spring when tipped with spot tail shiners. Stop in at Kens Tackle on the west end of the lake and Gary can point you in the right direction or drop me an email
Mike Frisch
Fishin With Frisch
mf4388i533@gmail.com

[gowrlop]

Great, thanks Mike. I hope it works out for me to get there. Thanks again for the info.

Roger

[Bob Jensen]

Hi Roger,,,will bass season be open when you go to Nisswa/Longville? If so, be sure to give them a try. Lots of great bass opportuniities in that area. I lived in that area for several years,,fished 5-6 lakes a day. Jig-worm or crankbaits on the weedline,,,fantastic fishing. Enjoy it.

Let us know how you do.

Best Fishes,

Bob Jensen

[gowrlop]

Bob,
Bass season will be open and that what we intend to chase. My brother a friend and myself are taking a Memorial trip to celebrate the many times our father took us to these lakes to chase bass. He passed away this January so we wanted to take a week and spend some time on the lakes he taught us how to catch fish. We are actually going to start the week on the Le Homme Due chain in Alex for 3 days then off to Whitefish lake for the next 4 days. Dad was a sports and outdoor writer for over 40 years in Fort Dodge and spend many a days on these lakes. He became close friends with Marv Koep and I was lucky enough to fish numerous times with Marv on all the small lakes around the Nisswa area. It will be sad not to have Dad with us on this trip but the many memories we had together on lakes like Lougee and Adney will never go away. Can't wait to throw that 4 inch Berkley purple worm on the weed edge and feel that tic. I'll let you know how we did.

Thanks

Roger

[Bob Jensen]

Hi Roger,,,that sounds like a great trip. I think I knew your dad, fished with him a couple of times. Wonderful guy if he's who I think he is.

Best Fishes,

Bob Jensen